Raipur, March 9: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday released the 25th installment of the Mahatari Vandan Yojana, transferring ₹641.58 crore to the bank accounts of 69.48 lakh women across Chhattisgarh on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Addressing the Mahatari Vandan Sammelan-2026 at Lal Bahadur Shastri Mini Stadium in the Bastar region, the Chief Minister said the economic and social empowerment of women forms the foundation of a developed Chhattisgarh.
With the release of the latest installment, the total amount disbursed to beneficiaries under the scheme has reached ₹16,237 crore. CM Sai said the initiative is not merely financial assistance but a welfare campaign aimed at strengthening the dignity, confidence, and self-reliance of women. He recalled that the scheme was launched on March 10, 2024, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a commitment to transfer ₹1,000 every month to eligible women.
The Chief Minister noted that the state government has fulfilled this promise consistently for 25 months, with each beneficiary woman now having received a total of ₹25,000 under the programme. To ensure the uninterrupted continuation of the scheme, the state government has allocated ₹8,200 crore in the current budget. CM Sai emphasised that these funds are helping women meet essential expenses related to children’s education, healthcare, and household savings.
Highlighting the success of broader empowerment goals, the Chief Minister said around eight lakh women in the state have already achieved the status of “Lakhpati Didis.” He stated that the government aims to further increase this number by connecting women with entrepreneurship, self-help groups (SHGs), and diverse livelihood activities. He noted that many women are now investing their monthly assistance into small businesses, thereby strengthening family finances.
On the infrastructure front, the Chief Minister shared updates on the “Mahatari Sadan” initiative. He said 368 such centres have been approved across the state to provide safe spaces for women’s meetings, vocational training, and community activities. Of these, 137 centres have already been completed. These Sadans are designed to function as hubs for SHGs at the Gram Panchayat level, fostering collective leadership and economic participation.
Addressing the security situation in the region, CM Sai stated that due to the concerted efforts of the Union government led by PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Naxalism in the state has reached its final stage. He added that the government has approved 15,000 houses for families affected by Naxal violence and surrendered Naxalites, while development initiatives are being accelerated in once-remote areas.
During the programme, the Chief Minister interacted with several beneficiaries, including Neetu Sahu from Dhamtari, Mithlesh Chaturvedi from Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki, and Nidhi Jaiswal from Surguja. The women shared accounts of how the regular financial support allowed them to start small-scale poultry units, tailoring shops, and millet-based eateries.
Coinciding with the event, the Women and Child Development Department launched the “Lakshmi Sakhi Millet Cart” initiative. This project aims to promote nutrient-rich, millet-based food products while providing sustainable livelihood opportunities to rehabilitated women and SHG members.
Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Rajwade stated that nearly 70 lakh women are currently benefiting from the Mahatari Vandan Yojana. Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap and Jagdalpur MLA Kiran Deo also addressed the gathering, noting that the regular transfer of funds reflects the government’s “Sankalp” (commitment) to women’s welfare.
The event saw the participation of several public representatives, including Dantewada MLA Chaitram Atami, along with senior administrative and departmental officials.